‘Hit’ visit spurs MPs to line up for joining India’s UN delegation

NEW DELHI: After Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s stellar performance in New York, which turned heads across the US, there is a rush among MPs to be part of the Indian delegation at the UN.

Every year New Delhi sends a select number of parliamentarians as delegates to the United Nations to participate in different UN conventions on variety of subjects. The government will sponsor 30 MPs in two batches. The MPs will leave in two batches in the next two weeks for the conventions

“Over 50 MPs, including senior Opposition MPs, have enquired about their nomination and met senior ministers to push their case. This year, their interest is much higher,” said a parliamentary source.

The Prime Minister’s Office, the external affairs and the parliamentary affairs ministry decide on the list of delegates.

Although the basic list has been prepared on the basis of the strength of the parties in the two Houses of the Parliament, the final list depends on the discretion of the top authority as the nominee’s ability to represent India at the top international forum is also judged. Sources added that the government also tries to ensure that Opposition leaders do not voice opinions contradicting the government’s line and policy at the world body.

Names from the CPI(M), JD(U), BSP and smaller parties were missing in the initial list.

Modi’s presence at the UNGA this year —especially after the Madison Square Garden event— has generated a lot of interest about India at the international forum and many MPs see this opportunity to bask in the Modiglory.